Sanctions Unite Iranians Against U.S.

Harsh U.S.-sponsored sanctions against Iran punish the people, create enmity against West

By Pete Papaherakles

The international sanctions levied on Iranunder the orchestration of the UnitedStates were supposed to help bring downthe Iranian government and stop it from pursuing nuclear weapons. Instead, the sanctionsare victimizing the Iranian people, making themmore nationalistic and anti-American.

The recent history of such American-orchestrated sanctions imposed on other countries is anugly one.

When Madeleine Albright—then U.S. ambassador to the United Nations—was asked in 1996 on“60 Minutes” if the deaths of some 500K Iraqi children resulting from the brutal sanctions the UNplaced on Iraq in 1990 (and which were still inforce) was worth it, she answered coldly, “We think the price is worth it.”

After being vanquished by the American invasionin 1990 and crippled with these sanctions that continueduntil Iraq was completely destroyed in 2003 following the second American-led assault—a warstaged on the basis of false claims by the UnitedStates and Israel that Iraq possessed “weapons of mass destruction”—well over a million innocentIraqi lives were added to Albright’s “price” list.

Today, we are seeing the same pattern of oppressionunfolding against Iran, a country almostfour times larger than Iraq.

The sanctions imposed upon Iran by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)—signedinto law by President Barack Obama last NewYear’s Eve—have started to impact upon the Persian republic.

Section 1245 of the NDAA imposes unilateral sanctions against the Central Bank of Iran (CBI),effectively blocking Iranian oil exports to countries that do business with the United States. Oilexports provide half of Iran’s government revenues,while crude oil and its derivatives, account for nearly 80% of Iran’s total exports. Sincethe sanctions specifically target CBI, all financialtransactions with Iran are affected.

The stated reason for the sanctions is Iran’s uranium enrichment program. However, Iran—whichis pursuing peaceful nuclear energy and undergoes periodic inspections—has been in compliancewith all relevant international regulations.

Contrast this with Israel, which—while officiallydenying it has access to nuclear weapons—is believed to have as many as 300-500 nuclearweapons (standing as perhaps the world’s fifth largest nuclear power) and yet refuses to sign theTreaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons or permit international inspection of its nuclear arsenal.

Ironically, although both U.S. and Israeli intelligenceagencies have consistently found Iran hasnot made a decision to pursue nuclear weaponsand would need years to achieve this goal if such a decision was ever made, American and Israeli advocatesof sanctions and military strikes against Iran have succeeded in manipulating the mediaand public opinion into creating the hysteria of apurported “Iranian nuclear threat.”

Although the sanctions are claimed to be peaceful measures designed to bring about regimechange by the Iranian people, the opposite is happening.

Reza Saiedi, an Iranian-American writer, told AMERICAN FREE PRESS: “The sanctions are causing Iranians to becomemore nationalistic and resentful toward theWest. The people are actually urging the government to pursue nuclear weapons, as they feel targetedfor destruction.”

In reality, the people of Iran—not the government—are the chief victims. Prices for basic foods have soared, in some cases showing three andfour-fold increases. Poultry, a staple in Persian cuisine, has more than doubled since last year causingwhat has been dubbed a “chicken crisis” and prompting demonstrations.

A lack of medicines has also become a big problem affectingup to 6M patients. Skyrocketingcosts of both domestic and imported medicines as well as sanction restrictions have made things verydifficult for Iranian doctors. A report by The FinancialTimes found that “cancer patients and those treated for complex disorders such as hemophilia,multiple sclerosis . . . as well as transplantand kidney dialysis patients” are dyingbecause of the sanctions.

Even Iranian-Americans are affected by the sanctions. Saiedi cited a poll that showed 44%of respondents have been harmed in variousways: “Companies have refused to sell goods and services to [Iranians living in the U.S.] even whenpermitted by law. Banks have refused to open checking and savings accounts and employers haverequired background checks and approval from theTreasury Department. Others have become targets of federal prosecutions and investigations for sendingdonations to assist impoverished children andfamily members in Iran.”

With all the suffering inflicted on the Iranianpeople it is difficult to see how sanctions are worthit for American interests.

“The sanctions have actually served to make Iranians more self-sufficient and more determined tofight for their beliefs” said Saiedi. “One of Iran’s greatest religious heroes is Imam Hussein, Mohamed’sgrandson, who with 72 men fought anddied against an enemy 10,000 men strong. Every Iranian today feels the same way. No matter whathappens with the West, Iranians are ready to fightuntil the end for their country.”

Peter Papaherakles, a U.S. citizen since 1986, was born in Greece. He is AFP’s outreach director. If you would like to see AFP speakers at your rally, contact Pete at 202-544-5977.